Message

Tuberculosis continues to be a major public health problem in India. Tuberculosis kills more adults than any other infectious disease, kills more women than all causes of maternal mortality combined, and creates more orphans than any other cause. It also disproportionately affects the poor.   

Tuberculosis control has, therefore been a major priority of my Government. Today I am happy to say that Revised national Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) is succeeding in its objectives of TB control. As of today, more than 450 million people are covered by this Programme. We have approved its massive expansion to cover 800 million people by 2004. 

This month, India has started treatment for its one-millionth patient. In the current year alone, the revised programme is likely to treat more than 5 lakh (0.5 million) patients, prevent more than 10 lakh (1 million) people from being infected with tuberculosis, and save one lakh lives. 

On this World TB day, I appeal to all concerned both in the government and non-government sectors, to ensure that every tuberculosis patient is accorded full and proper treatment and service, both to save life, and to halt the spread of this deadly disease.

A.B. Vajpayee
Prime Minister
Republic of India